all of our big elected names are expected back in town now. the house and the senate back on the roll call tomorrow. so what are the key issues of the many that they're expected to take up before adjourning for the year? >> well, alex, it's interesting. i don't want to sound too optimistic here, but all signs are pointing to the fact that they might actually get a deal on the budget. that deal might include scaling back some of those sequester cuts, finding a little bit of deficit reduction. here's the key thing to focus on, though, right now, alex. the tone. there doesn't seem to be an appetite for another government shutdown. that, of course, bodes well for the economy and washington in general. take a listen to what two lawmakers had to say earlier today. >> keep the budget caps in place, not raise taxes, which is important during this weak economy, and actually avoid a government shutdown. so i'm hopeful that even by the end of this week we'll be able to come together and achieve that. >> i certainly hope as part of it that the negotiators